Composition Technique - Framing
How should you use framing in your photography?
Take a read of my blog, as I have explained the meaning of framing, given visuals to link to this composition, and ideas for using it at home. I believe that to understand any type of composition technique, you need to try it and experiment.
Framing Description
Framing refers to using elements of a scene to create a frame within your frame. For example, you might shoot through a doorway, pull back curtains, branches, fences, tunnels, or arches to highlight your subject focus. With this composition, you can create depth in a photo and make it more interesting.
Tips for Using Framing:
Look for ways to shoot through natural frames to highlight your subject.
If you find an interesting subject, photograph it as you normally would first, then try shooting it through a frame structure.
Focus on the subject, NOT the foreground element.
Make sure the frame section of your photograph is not overly bright.
Yasuhiro Ishimoto - Katsura Villa Portfolio
Yasuhiro Ishimoto – Katsura Villa Portfolio
https://www.widewalls.ch/framing-in-photography/ansel-adams-wawona-tunnel-view/
Framing at Home
While at home, you can experiment with framing using:
Light and shadow
Shapes or elements that enclose the subject
Environmental elements as the frame
Architectural framing structures
Examples from My Photography:
Light/Shadow Framing: Used light to frame plums.
Shapes Framing: Shapes framing the bottom part of the picture.
Environmental Framing: Reflection of a tree branch in a puddle.
Architectural Framing: Trees and buildings framing a street.
Quick Tip: The camera itself creates the first frame—the frame within a frame starts there.
Framing using light/shadow
For this shot, I have used the light to frame the plums
Shapes or other Elements that Enclose the Subject
This photograph shows how shapes can frame the bottom part of a picture.
Environmental Elements as the Frame
This example is of the reflection of the tree branch in a puddle and the framing is the unfocused area of the puddle.
Architectural Framing structures
This image shows framing with the trees on each side of the path and the buildings along the street.
As an extra, you could play with taking photographs with a centre object or person.
Summary
Framing is about drawing the viewer’s eye to your subject by creating a frame around the edges of your image. Experiment with objects, contrasts of light and dark, and foreground proximity to enhance your composition.
Further Resources:
Take Your Skills Further
Ready to take your photography to the next level? Reading about composition is just the beginning. Practice with guidance through One-to-One Photography Tuition in Northamptonshire. I offer Personalised Photography Lessons for Beginners & Advanced photographers to help you master framing, composition, and creative techniques.
Book your 1:1 session today and start creating images with more depth, creativity, and impact! Let’s bring your photography vision to life, one frame at a time.
